Real Zaragoza went one step closer to a return to La Liga as they came from behind to win the first leg of the play-off final last night.
Goals from Diego Rico, Pedro Sanchez and Willian Jose gave them a 3-1 win over Las Palmas with the return leg to be played on Sunday.
Fresh from a dramatic 10 days in the Segunda, Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 down at La Romareda courtesy of a strike from ex-Valencia man Jonathan Viera. However, having come from 3-0 down against Girona in the first leg of the semi-finals, Zaragoza roared back and ensured that they will travel to Gran Canaria with the advantage.
Both sides are playing for the right to face Barcelona and Real Madrid in the top flight next season having finished just outside the top two. Real Betis and Sporting Gijon achieved automatic promotion whilst Las Palmas and Zaragoza finished 4th and 6th respectively.
Las Palmas saw off Real Valladolid on away goals after two draws whilst Zaragoza made it this far in extraordinary circumstances. They lost the first leg to Girona 3-0 before stunning the Catalans and winning 4-1 away from home to also progress on the away goals rule.
The tie is far from over as both teams travel to the Canary Islands for the deciding game of a mammoth season, yet Zaragoza will go into the match full of confidence and belief that their two-year stint in the Segunda could be nearing an end.
